For his first film, Akaki Popkhadze demonstrates impressive mastery, whether in the coherence of the scenario, the depth of the characters and the nervousness of the direction. In summary, Burn the blood is devilishly effective.
Guardian of the sumptuous villa of a Russian oligarch, a man is shot dead on the terrace of a Nice café. The assassins planned to execute the businessman. The victim's wife, a piano teacher, finds herself alone with her son Tristan (Florent Hill), a calm and loving boy who is destined to become an Orthodox priest.
When his big brother Gabriel (Nicolas Duvauchelle) resurfaces, an infernal spiral begins. The boy with a troubled past, who had become estranged from his family, intends to avenge his missing father, even if it means provoking trench warfare.
Toxic masculinity leads to death
Akaki Popkhadze, director
Especially since to help him penetrate Nice's mafia circles, he calls on Marco (Finnegan Oldfield), a party animal addicted to cocaine, a gambler and not so reliable after all. He will nevertheless put Gabriel in contact with Jacques (Denis Lavant), a godfather who could give him the identity of his father's killer(s). But in this universe, you don't get anything without compensation. Tristan will have to get involved despite himself and even involve his best friend Emir (Sandor Funtek).
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“Telling the failure of violence”
“When I was 13, my family had to flee Georgia to come to France. Beyond the misery and humiliation of this immigrant situation, it was a cultural and emotional shock. raconte Akaki Popkhadze.
“I grew up in a predominantly male environment, the only female figure I could cling to was my mother. In Burn the bloodI want to tell the story of the failure of violence and revenge. I deeply believe that stubbornness in manhood and honor leads to destruction. In the film, the much-desired revenge does not take place. Toxic masculinity leads to death. Strong men end up in dumpsters,” he adds.
Effective, rough and perfectly played, Burn the blood makes us impatient for the rest of Akaki Popkhadze's career.
“Burn the Blood” – 1:49 a.m. – Wednesday, January 22.
